King George
King George Falls
King George River is located in Australia
King George River
Location of the King George River mouth
in Western Australia
EtymologyIn honour of King George V[1]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateWestern Australia
RegionCentral and Northern Kimberley, Victoria Bonaparte (IBRA)
Local government areaWyndham-East Kimberley
Physical characteristics
SourceAshton Range
 • locationOombulgurri Aboriginal Reserve, Central Kimberley
 • coordinates14°37′24″S 127°11′59″E / 14.62333°S 127.19972°E / -14.62333; 127.19972
 • elevation212 m (696 ft)
MouthKoolama Bay, Timor Sea
 • location
east of Kalumburu, Northern Kimberley
 • coordinates
13°57′44″S 127°19′43″E / 13.96222°S 127.32861°E / -13.96222; 127.32861
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length112 km (70 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftBeta Creek
WaterfallsKing George Falls
National parkDrysdale River National Park
[2]

The King George River is a perennial river located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Location and features

The headwaters of the river rise to the west of the Ashton Range and flow in a northerly direction through the Drysdale River National Park past the Seppelt Range, joined by one minor tributary before reaching its river mouth and emptying into Koolama Bay and the Timor Sea, approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) east of Kalumburu. The river descends 216 metres (709 ft) over its 112-kilometre (70 mi) course,[2] including a 38–40-metre (125–131 ft) descent over the dual drop waterfall of King George Falls, approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) upriver from the river mouth. The falls are located at an elevation of 84 metres (276 ft) above sea level.[3]

The recorded height of the waterfall varies widely, with some sources claiming the descent is in the range of 80–100 metres (262–328 ft).[4][5][6][7][8] The area surrounding the falls are popular with tourists, who typically view the falls by boat.[4][5] The falls are in full force from late December through to early May each year and gradually recede to a small flow in September.[6] The falls were featured in Baz Luhrmann's 2008 film, Australia.[8]

Etymology

The river was named in 1911 by explorer Charles Conigrave after a privately funded expedition in the area. The river is named in honour of King George V.[1]

The traditional owners of the areas around the river are the Miwa people.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "History of river names – K". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Map of King George River, WA". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Map of King George Falls, WA". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  4. 1 2 "King George Falls – Top Waterfalls in the World". World Top Top. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  5. 1 2 "King George River" (PDF) (PDF). Kimberley Coast Cruising Yacht Club. 18 November 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  6. 1 2 "King George Twin Falls". Western Australia for everyone. Phoenix Group Co. 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  7. ↑ "Australia's North West: Top 10 Attractions". DriveWA.com. DriveOz Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  8. 1 2 "King George Falls". Faraway Bay. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "AusAnthrop Australian Aboriginal tribal database". 2012. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
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